Foreign Minister Fidan Addresses Israel’s Policies, Syria’s Stability, and Visa Issues in Joint Press Conference

Kokcha News Agency: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara. Following their discussions, the two ministers held a joint press conference where Fidan addressed a range of pressing international issues.

Economic and Defense Cooperation:
Fidan highlighted the significant investments by Turkish companies in El Salvador and expressed Turkey’s desire to further develop bilateral relations. He also mentioned that the two ministers discussed potential cooperation in the defense industry.

Diplomatic Efforts in Istanbul:
Fidan noted that Istanbul will host a busy week of diplomacy, including peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. He also reminded that Istanbul will host nuclear negotiations between Iran and three European countries on Friday.

Israel’s Policies in Gaza and Syria:
Fidan strongly criticized Israel’s policies, stating that it is now the duty of all humanity to stop Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza. He also accused Israel of destabilizing Syria, saying, “Israel does not want to see a stable country in its surroundings and aims to divide Syria. Netanyahu’s interests lie in plunging the Middle East into chaos, but we, as regional countries, will not allow this.”

Fidan pointed out that while regional states, the U.S., and European countries have shown constructive approaches to support the Syrian people, Israel has sought to sabotage these efforts. He emphasized that Israel’s actions in Syria, including its strikes on government forces, are part of a broader strategy to weaken the region.

Syria’s Suwayda Conflict:
Addressing the recent clashes in Syria’s Suwayda province, Fidan expressed concern over the situation and warned that certain regional actors, particularly Israel, do not want Syria to be strong and stable. He urged Syrian groups not to exploit the chaos and called for the central government to intervene impartially to restore calm.

Visa Negotiations with the EU:
On the issue of visa liberalization with the European Union, Fidan acknowledged the ongoing silent diplomacy and noted that while the EU’s recent visa decision is significant, it is not sufficient. He reiterated Turkey’s goal of achieving full visa-free travel for its citizens.

El Salvador’s Perspective:
El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco also spoke at the press conference, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral ties with Turkey and exploring new areas of cooperation.